New amp vs PA System

[Bass-aholic]

As of recently I have started playing more live gigs again, and as bassists know, bass doesn't carry as well as treble in larger areas much less outdoors.

I have been using an Ampeg Rocketbass 120 amp now for almost 8 years and love the thing to death. It sounds great at low and high volumes and for recording the line out is next to none. I have been looking into buying a bigger gig rig but for the money and size specifications I am thinking of picking up a PA. Not only does the band need one for vocals, it would enable me to play my synth through 2 outputs as it should be. I was looking at the Yamaha EMX5014C?JBL JRX115 PA Package that is on musicians friend.

Any input? Advice?

 

[Wes Whitmore]

What type of gigs are you playing? Do you only need to be heard a little bit better? Get ready to get into the real money pit! What are you using to sing through now?

I would get the Yamaha club series if you are looking for PA in that price range. They are made of pretty good materials and components for the money. I would probably avoid the JRX115. I have never owned them, but heard them plenty of times. The Yamahas are far better.

Wes

 

[modulusman]

JRX is Junk. Plus one on the yamahas if you go that route. My suggestion is to look at powered PA cabs and an unpowered mixer.

 

[projectMalamute]

Yeah, JRX stuff sucks.

I really don't have much use for JBL at all, at every price point/product line you can do better. Replacement parts are also insanely expensive.

EAW > SRX
QSC > PRX
Peavey or Wharfedale > JRX

 

[shizoz]

+1 to the QSC stuff, I think its great stuff for the money.

 

[musicman7722]

I have a QSX K series PA, 212 sub and 2 K12 tops. I use a Presonus 16.0.2 dig. mixer. Nice set up.

 

[oerk]

IME, a PA with tops only won't produce much bass at all. It's fine for vocals, but you won't be able to run your bass or the kick drum through it and get satisfactory results.

Either get a bigger amp and a small PA, like you intended, or go the large PA route with dedicated subs (note: this is expensive).

Does your amp have a jack for an external cab? A second cab will give you a significant volume boost.

 

[KrisWarrington]

(Expecting a lot of hate for this but here I go) Kustom actually makes great equipment for the price. The Kustom G1200HD (while discontinued) puts out 1200w of power at 2 Ohms and 800w at 4 Ohms. It also has some nifty features with it. Mute/Solo foot switch, 9-band EQ, 3 band "knob EQ" (Lows, Mids, Highs) , switches to change the Hz of your lows, mids, and highs. Of course it uses SPEAKON cables from head to cab, it's a SS head, DO, Effects Loop, Tuner Port. You get all that for around $300. If you buy a used head and it doesn't come with a footswitch just send Kustom an email and they will send you one for free (no shipping charge either). I've used my G1200HD for a long time for live, studio, and practice and as far as the tone and everything of the actual head I'd choose it over a Mesa, Orange, Ampeg, or Peavy. I've compared them quite a few times and have noticed little to no difference between the G1200HD and those models I listed above, however; I play very aggressive technical music. Then again Kustom doesn't have the reputation of any of those amps and it's not an AMPEG plus the head is pretty heavy (32lbs). You want cheap and effective, there you go.

 

[bassgrooves2]

IME, a PA with tops only won't produce much bass at all. It's fine for vocals, but you won't be able to run your bass or the kick drum through it and get satisfactory results.

Either get a bigger amp and a small PA, like you intended, or go the large PA route with dedicated subs (note: this is expensive).

Does your amp have a jack for an external cab? A second cab will give you a significant volume boost.

+1

Tough decision lay ahead for most likely

It's obvious you guys will need a PA of some sort for vows and keys etc, but running bass in with no subs will likely get you lackluster results. I have been there. A PA with a crossover and dedicated sub would work wonders, but it can be expensive and also means you have that much more for loading n/out. What I did was buy equipment as I found good deals and could afford it. I don't currently run subs, but would like to if someone else's was willing to lug them around for me!

My setup consists of my bass gear running through my Carvin BX1200 head (ROCKS!) and into most often m y Genz Benz XB3 610T cab, so I have plenty of bass for any situations have needed. On smaller gigs I will go 410 or 2x12. On even smaller gigs I will go a single 12" cab.

PA is small and portable, and could be greatly iimproved on, but it works for us.
MACKIE 1402 mixer into CARVIN power amp. Out to 2 Yamaha 15" mains, 2 ways. I can't remember the model of the Yammies, but I got a good deal on them used at a local shop... Likewise for the MACKIE and the Carvin power amp came from carvin.

I have been looking into a second amp for a couple of small wedges for monitoring, but no cash limits my options.

As you can see, this starts to add up quickly and there is still no subs in the picture.

I think depending on your needs, if you can get by with you bass rig for a while, maybe start with a PA or start shopping around o used gear to put together one of your own.

By the way I have, a few times, been able to get by with a smaller bass rig or just bass going into my PA direct, but it doesn't really work all that great without the subs.
And so begins the GAS!

 

[mindbass]

From my experience an amp on stage serves mostly as a monitor. Invest in a P.A. if you like your amp.